Nathan makes Sidney laugh

Tonight right before Sidney's bath, Nathan was brushing his teeth.  He was making some funny noises, and Sidney was in the mood to laugh.  Alex held Sidney up in front of Nathan and the two of them just had a fantastic time together.

We could really tell that Nathan was really interacting with Sidney... trying to make him laugh, watching his reactions.   It warmed both Alex and my heart.

And then... from the "unfortunate timings" department...

Nathan was done brushing his teeth and began saying goodnight to all of us.  He gave his Maman a kiss and we asked him if he wanted to give Sidney a kiss on the head.  He strained his head around to give Sidney a bisous on the mouth, and right at that momeny Sidney vomited.

Nathan was a little perplexed, but took it in stride.

Ah c'est lourde

After going to the "tienda" with me (we haven't gone together in a long time... what a treat for Papa!) Nathan volunteered to help me carry home a sack of groceries.

The first thing out of his mouth when he tried to pick the bag up was "Ah, c'est lourde!"

("Oh, that's heavy!")

He did end up carrying it all of the way home (well, most -- he charmed some random lady into carrying it for him for a bit)  and managed by "bouncing it on the ground" at each step, as shown in the picture.

Hannukah at the H's

Joe and Betty invited us to their home to celebrate the 7th night of Hannukah.

On the way in, Nathan was impresed that Papa could carry Nathan, the backback, Lila's present, the braised fennel and the chocolate chip cookies.  For a minute, I became "super Papa."  It was nice.  Alex took a photo to commemorate the occasion.

Sidney was extra comfy with Maman, and Nathan had a lot of fun playing with the older kids.

That's a letter

Nathan likes "They Might Be Giants."  Here he is explaining to Maman and I what's the difference between a Letter and Not A Letter.  We were only able to capture the tail-end of a long diatribe on the subject.  Enjoy.

Call Geema?

Maman is so funny!

Ah t'es lourde

"Oh, you're heavy."

Nathan the old man.  Having a hard time going up the stairs.

Tiny fingers

Christmas Smörgåsbord @ The Moontros

The Moontros invited us over to their house to partake in their self-proclaimed Swedish "pagan" traditions (eating... drinking... what's not to like?)

Scott and Janice slaved away before the meal... and Janice watched the kids throughout most of the actual eating part.  In fact, she overheard Nathan and Max plotting to tip over the play kitchen in the living room.  Obviously these two boys will be trouble as they grow up together.

After we had all eaten our fill, Scott took over and kept both Max and Nathan entertained with countless tickles and giggles!

For the most part I got to just hang out, drink "glögg" and talk with other grown-ups for a change.

This is a tradition I can really get behind!

Nathan commence a aimer les cadeaux

For a long time Nathan didn't really "get" the idea of a cadeaux.  He seems to understand much better, now.

Tis the season...

Nathan and Papa

All Abouuuuard...

Sidney recounts his day

First I ...

   then I ...

      and then I ...

...how do you pack that much fun into such a small package?!

Frosty the Snowman

After seeing "Frosty the snowman" on TV, Nathan has really taken an interest in all  things "snow-manly."  Whether it's a bonhomme de neige, or a snowman he can't get enough.

For your viewing pleasure, here we are singing our (probably not correct) version of the song in 2 (and sometimes 4) part harmony!  Enjoy!

Who loves trucks?

"Blue head, Papa"

Today at Ikea, Nathan noticed something he had never seend before.  The lady behind the counter had died her jet-black hear BLUE (I tried to get a picture with my phone but it doesn't do it justice...)

Tout le monde

Nathan has embraced the concept of "tout le monde" (literally, "all the world" but usually used to mean "everyone.")

As I was tucking him into bed he said, "Sidney fait dodo" (Sidney goes to sleep).

"Yes," I said.  "Nathan fait dodo aussi."

"Maman fait dodo aussi" he rejoined.  "Ana fait dodo aussi.  Tout le monde fait dodo."

Oh, Mer

This morning, Nathan was playing contentedly by himself when all of a sudden he blurted out, "Oh, Mer."

We're pretty sure we know what he meant to say.  And it had nothing to do with the sea.

Petit Parisien

En bon petit parisien, Nathan mange un petit pain aux raisins pour le quatre-heures et finit sa journee avec un tour de manege pres de la tour Eiffel.

Pendant ce temps la, Sidney dormait a poings fermes...

Neige a Paris

Just before going to bed for his nap, Nathan went to the window and told me "it's raining". When I turned to see for myself, it was in fact snowing. Nathan thought it was the coolest thing...

Vincennes

After going through numerous tunnel and bridges to get to Vincennes, Nathan and Sidney got to visit rue du Midi a Vincennes. Luckily, there was the same manege as in La Baule so this time Nathan decided that he would give it a try.
Very proud of being on the manage, he kept saying:" am driving, am driving" turning the wheel left and right. As he got off, his last comment was :"j'ai conduit manege".

Lullaby for Sidney

Storytime with Jordan

Jardin du Ranelagh avec Papie